Trends and Hospital Factors in Emergency Department Patients Leaving Without Being Seen, 2015-2024 - Takeaways - MDSpire

Trends and Hospital Factors in Emergency Department Patients Leaving Without Being Seen, 2015-2024

  • By

  • Lawrence Chang

  • Jashdeep S. Dhillon

  • Madeline Feldmeier

  • Renee Y. Hsia

  • May 21, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    The study analyzed trends in patients leaving emergency departments without being seen (LWBS) in California from 2015 to 2024.

  • 2

    Overall LWBS rates decreased from 2.8% in 2015 to 2.2% in 2020, then increased to 3.4% in 2022 before declining to 2.6% in 2024.

  • 3

    LWBS rates were significantly higher in urban hospitals (2.6%) compared to rural hospitals (2.1%) and in government hospitals (3.9%) compared to for-profit hospitals (2.4%).

  • 4

    The study highlighted disparities in LWBS rates, particularly affecting urban, public, and safety net hospitals serving underserved populations.

  • 5

    Findings suggest that systemic issues in emergency care access may persist unless hospital performance measures account for various hospital characteristics.

Original Source(s)

Trends and Hospital Factors in Emergency Department Patients Leaving Without Being Seen, 2015-2024

  • by Lawrence Chang, Jashdeep S. Dhillon, Madeline Feldmeier, Renee Y. Hsia

  • May 21, 2026

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